Our History
In 1979 Doug Boyd's Cross Cultural Studies Program hosted an International Symposium in Parkville, Missouri, bringing Native and other religious leaders from around the world to address the poverty and injustice that Native peoples in the United States endured. A lasting outcome of this symposium was the annual meeting called Wisdom Keepers in Asheville, North Carolina of Native Elders and leaders. They came together to socialize, celebrate, and problem solve following Sacred Traditions. In 2002 Doug asked the Elders if he could bring the group to Council Grove, and this began our offshoot of Wisdom Keepers. With Doug’s passing in 2006, we decided his work had to continue.
Welcome to a weekend experience on traditional lands of the Kanza People. Grandfather Curtis Kekahbah, former Kaw Elder, spoke how everything is alive, and everything is related. As we want to live in a good way with all our relations, we care for Mother Earth and each other by the choices that affect all.
The Gathering allows you to spend time with the Elders and other speakers from various tribal nations, and hear their oral traditions and wisdom. During the weekend, ceremonies will be shared; participation in constructing and entering in a sweat are options. Singing, drumming, nature walks, and art are often possibilities as well.
Our hope is that you will take in your experience and allow it to grow in how you live. When we can return to living with Mother Earth as a beloved community and tend to our relations, a new way to re-inhabit the land with each other becomes our journey.
"May that which is best for all of life come to pass." — Doug Boyd
Welcome to a weekend experience on traditional lands of the Kanza People. Grandfather Curtis Kekahbah, former Kaw Elder, spoke how everything is alive, and everything is related. As we want to live in a good way with all our relations, we care for Mother Earth and each other by the choices that affect all.
The Gathering allows you to spend time with the Elders and other speakers from various tribal nations, and hear their oral traditions and wisdom. During the weekend, ceremonies will be shared; participation in constructing and entering in a sweat are options. Singing, drumming, nature walks, and art are often possibilities as well.
Our hope is that you will take in your experience and allow it to grow in how you live. When we can return to living with Mother Earth as a beloved community and tend to our relations, a new way to re-inhabit the land with each other becomes our journey.
"May that which is best for all of life come to pass." — Doug Boyd
Douglas Wright Boyd
oug was a dedicated humanitarian, researcher, lecturer, teacher, activist, internationally known author, and founding director of a not-for-profit organization, including a long-range investigation of traditional and esoteric ideologies. He traveled all over the world and was a student and friend of adepts and healers of many traditions and cultures. Possessed of incisive wit, he was a master storyteller who shared tales of his many years of experience working with and learning from yogis, monks, psychic healers, and medicine people. He was a student of some, a mentor to many, and a friend to more.
Books written by Doug Boyd include: Mad Bear; Rolling Thunder; Mystics, Magicians and Medicine People and Swami: Encounters With Modern Mystics.
From: Intuition Network - a nonprofit organization
Written by Lynn B Robinson, PhD
Books written by Doug Boyd include: Mad Bear; Rolling Thunder; Mystics, Magicians and Medicine People and Swami: Encounters With Modern Mystics.
From: Intuition Network - a nonprofit organization
Written by Lynn B Robinson, PhD
Ted Williams
Ted Williams was born April 6, 1930 on the Tuscarora Reservation near Niagara Falls, NY. His father was Eleaser Williams, an Indian doctor and Sachem Chief of the Turtle Clan. Ted’s mother, Amelia Chew, was a Clan Mother of the Wolf Clan.
After high school, Ted joined the military and served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne during the Korean conflict. Ted used the GI Bill to attend Knapp School of Music in Chicago where he was known for arranging jazz.
When Ted returned to the Niagara Falls area, he became a crane operator for the New York State Electric Power Project. He eventually worked for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, retiring in 1990.
Ted began following his father into healing work with herbal remedies, hands on healing, and ceremony. A known seer, Daisy Thomas suggested Ted become active in the Falseface Society for protection as he continued his healing work. Ted also became more active in the “Longhouse Way of Life” and wrote, The Reservation in 1976, published by Syracuse University Press.
Ted and his wife, Diana Osborn Williams, lived in North Carolina and gathered Elders from many Nations. This gathering was known as the Wisdom Keepers. Eventually Ted and Doug Boyd got to know each other and Doug invited Ted to bring the gathering to Kansas. It was decided in conjunction with Mad Bear to hold the gathering in Council Grove at White Memorial Camp beginning in 2002, the gathering became known as the Flint Hills Wisdom Keepers. Ted and Diana continued their gatherings in the North Carolina area for some time thereafter. Ted’s second book, Big Medicine from Six Nations, was published by Syracuse University Press in 2007.
After high school, Ted joined the military and served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne during the Korean conflict. Ted used the GI Bill to attend Knapp School of Music in Chicago where he was known for arranging jazz.
When Ted returned to the Niagara Falls area, he became a crane operator for the New York State Electric Power Project. He eventually worked for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, retiring in 1990.
Ted began following his father into healing work with herbal remedies, hands on healing, and ceremony. A known seer, Daisy Thomas suggested Ted become active in the Falseface Society for protection as he continued his healing work. Ted also became more active in the “Longhouse Way of Life” and wrote, The Reservation in 1976, published by Syracuse University Press.
Ted and his wife, Diana Osborn Williams, lived in North Carolina and gathered Elders from many Nations. This gathering was known as the Wisdom Keepers. Eventually Ted and Doug Boyd got to know each other and Doug invited Ted to bring the gathering to Kansas. It was decided in conjunction with Mad Bear to hold the gathering in Council Grove at White Memorial Camp beginning in 2002, the gathering became known as the Flint Hills Wisdom Keepers. Ted and Diana continued their gatherings in the North Carolina area for some time thereafter. Ted’s second book, Big Medicine from Six Nations, was published by Syracuse University Press in 2007.
